Adipose tissue separation device and methods

ABSTRACT

A tissue separating device and a method of separating pure fat from a fatty liposuction aspirate are provided. The tissue separating device includes a canister device including canister body having a sidewall defining a volume. A tissue retrieval port can be arranged on the canister device and is capable of being arranged in fluid communication with a harvesting device for directing a fatty liposuction aspirate into the volume of the canister device. An adjustable height filtration mesh assembly can be arranged within the canister body and can include a filtering mesh separating the volume into an upper vacuum chamber and a lower vacuum chamber. A tissue harvesting port can be arranged in the sidewall of the canister body and can be capable of being arranged in communication with a collection device to allow the tissue harvesting port to atraumatically receive a filtered pure fat collected on the filtering mesh within the upper vacuum chamber. The filtration mesh assembly can be movably arranged within the canister body such that the filtering mesh is adjustable with respect to the tissue harvesting port.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate to a tissue separating device for bodyfluids and tissue specimens. In particular, the present teachings relateto a separation device for use with a suction source to withdraw andseparate body fluids and tissue specimens from a patient in anatraumatic manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Autologous adipose tissue (or fatty tissue) transplantation is performedby many surgeons for various cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.Autologous fat transplantation involves retrieving adipose tissue usingliposuction techniques from an area of abundance and then re-injectingthe harvested adipose tissue into a different site of the sameindividual for cosmetic/reconstructive augmentation or enhancementpurposes. Generally, prior to the re-introduction of the tissue into thepatient, the adipose tissue must be processed or cleaned to maximize thechances of implant survival. Such processing is preferably accomplishedwhile minimizing the exposure of the tissue to air as much as possible.However, the adipose cells are relatively delicate and the number ofsteps and length of time required to separate and process the harvestedtissue prior to re-introduction into the patient contributes directly tothe success of the operation and decreases the likelihood the tissuewill be rejected.

However, the nature of liposuction procedures preclude easy tissueisolation after initial harvest, especially on a large scale, becausethe volume and/or viscosity of the extracted liposuction effluent alsocontains unwanted components such as oil, blood and anesthetic solution.Currently, there are no standard techniques, methods, or devices thatexist for the simple, large scale isolation and refinement ofliposuction-harvested adipose tissue. Although a number of specializedcannulas, needles and methods for tissue harvest and preparation exist,these techniques are tedious and inefficient. Often, the harvested fatis introduced into a centrifuge further traumatizing the fat and addingmore steps to the process before the adipose tissue is re-injected backinto the patient. As a result, centrifuge-free processes have beendeveloped.

Known centrifuge-free processes require a large number of steps whichresult in a cumbersome harvesting and re-injection process that leavesroom for much improvement.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an efficient, simple-to-use,low-cost to manufacture and assemble tissue collection and processingdevice that reduces the trauma to harvested tissue, improves the amountof useful tissue, and maintains a sterile processing environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings provide a tissue separating device including acanister device including a canister body having a sidewall defining avolume. A tissue retrieval port can be arranged on the canister deviceand can be capable of being arranged in fluid communication with aharvesting device for directing a fatty liposuction aspirate into thevolume of the canister device. An adjustable height filtration meshassembly can be arranged within the canister body and can include afiltering mesh separating the volume into an upper vacuum chamber and alower vacuum chamber. A tissue harvesting port can be arranged in thesidewall of the canister body and can be capable of being arranged incommunication with a collection device to allow the tissue harvestingport to atraumatically receive a filtered pure fat collected on thefiltering mesh within the upper vacuum chamber. The filtration meshassembly can be movably arranged within the canister body such that thefiltering mesh is adjustable with respect to the tissue harvesting port.

The present teachings also provide a tissue separating device includinga canister device including a canister body and a lid. The canisterdevice can define an interior volume. An adjustable filtration meshassembly can include a movable rod and a filtering mesh arranged in thecanister body and separating the interior volume into an upper vacuumchamber and a lower vacuum chamber. A height of the filtering meshwithin the canister body is capable of being adjusted by adjusting themovable rod on an exterior of the canister body. A tissue retrieval portcan be arranged on the canister device and can be capable of being influid communication with a harvesting device for directing a fattyliposuction aspirate onto the filtering mesh of the filtration meshassembly within the upper vacuum chamber. A tissue harvesting port canbe arranged in the sidewall of the canister body and can be capable ofbeing arranged in communication with a collection device. The filteringmesh can be adjustable with respect to the tissue harvesting port forfacilitating the atraumatic removal of filtered pure fat collected onthe filtering mesh from the upper vacuum chamber of the canister body.

The present teachings further provide a method of separating pure fatfrom a fatty liposuction aspirate. The method includes providing acanister device defining a volume, a tissue retrieval port, a filtrationmesh assembly including a filtering mesh movably arranged within thecanister body, and a tissue harvesting port. The method further includesdirecting a fatty liposuction aspirate into the volume of the canisterdevice and onto the filtering mesh of the filtration mesh assembly andseparating the fatty liposuction aspirate using the filtering mesh intoa filtered pure fat component collected on the filtering mesh and intoan aqueous fluid component collected below the filtering mesh. Themethod further includes moving the filtering mesh with respect to thetissue harvesting port into a position to place the separated pure fatin communication with a collection device and creating a vacuum at thetissue harvesting port using the collection device to atraumaticallyremove the filtered pure fat from the canister body without manipulatingthe fat.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be setforth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, beapparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice ofvarious embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of variousembodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements andcombinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the tissue separating device of the presentteachings;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the tissue separating deviceof the present teachings;

FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the tissue separating devicetaken through line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the tissue separating device taken throughline 4-4 of FIG. 1.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only,and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of thepresent teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to at least FIG. 1, a tissue separating device 100 inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present teachings isshown. The tissue separating device 100 can include a canister device 20including a canister body 21 and a lid 30. The canister device 20 caninclude a vacuum connector 34 and a tissue retrieval port 36 which canbe arranged in the lid 30. The vacuum connector 34 can be operativelycoupled to a vacuum source 200 via tubing. The tissue retrieval port 36can be operatively coupled to a harvesting device 300 via a liposuctioncannula. A sidewall of the canister body 21 can include a fluidevacuation port 22 and a tissue harvesting port 24. The tissueseparating device 100 also includes an adjustable height filtration meshassembly 50 that is operable to divide the interior of the canisterdevice 20 into an upper vacuum chamber 52 and a lower vacuum chamber 54.

In use, a quantity of fatty liposuction aspirate can be directed intothe canister device 20 through the tissue retrieval port 36 when asuction or negative pressure is applied to the sterile interior chamberof the canister device 20. The suction pressure can be created byconnecting the vacuum source 200 to the vacuum connector 34. The fattyliposuction aspirate is directed into the upper vacuum chamber 52 andbecomes filtered by the adjustable height filtration mesh assembly 50 byway of gravity. The filtering mesh 62 of the filtration mesh assembly 50separates pure fat from the aqueous component of the fatty liposuctionaspirate. The filtered pure fat remains on the upper vacuum chamber 52side of the filtration mesh assembly 50 while the aqueous component ofthe fatty liposuction aspirate is collected at the bottom of thecanister body 21 below the filtration mesh assembly 50.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the filtering mesh 62 of thefiltration mesh assembly 50 can be moved up and down the sidewall 28 ofthe canister body 21 and can be set at any height to facilitate theatraumatic removal of pure fat from the canister device 20 withoutmanipulating the fat. The pure fat can be removed through the tissueharvesting port 24 by way of a collection syringe 400 or othercollection mechanism. The pure fat can then be re-injected by thesurgeon for fat grafting purposes. The remaining aqueous fluid componentcollected below the filtration mesh assembly 50 can be separatelyaspirated from the canister device 20 through the fluid evacuation port22 into a different collection syringe 500 or other collectionmechanism.

The tissue separating device 100 of the present teachings can be used aspart of a larger tissue retrieval system. For example, the tissueseparating device 100, when operatively placed in communication withother components such as a vacuum source 200, a waste canister (notshown), collection syringes 400, 500, tissue harvesting devices 300, andothers using associated conduits and tubing, can be part of a highvolume, sterile, closed environment system. The system can facilitatethe harvesting of aspirated, adipose tissue, and the tissue separatingdevice 100 of the present teachings can be used to separate such tissuefrom other collected tumescent fluids, oils, blood, and anesthetics. Aswill be discussed in more detail below, pre-loading the canister device20 with a fluid bath can be implemented to further reduce the trauma tothe harvested tissue and contribute to the refining process.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the canister body 21 can include a generallycylindrically shaped sidewall 28 that can terminate in an upper rim 56with an outwardly projecting flange 58 surrounding an open top thatpreferably faces upwardly when in use. The upper rim 56 forms anattachment surface for a removable lid 30 as will be described in moredetail below. According to various embodiments, the removable lid 30 caninclude various shapes and sizes and could be formed in a hingedrelationship with the canister body 21.

According to various embodiments, the canister body 21 can have acapacity from about 100 ml to about 4 liters. However, it has been foundthat a canister capacity of from about 1.2 liters to about 2.0 litershas been found to be suitable for most autologous adipose tissuere-injection procedures. However, these size ranges are not meant to belimiting in any manner and other suitable smaller or larger capacitiesas dictated by the procedure to be performed would be appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adjustable height filtration meshassembly 50 includes a filtering mesh 62 having a resilient O-ring 64arranged about its circumference to prevent fluid from passing betweenthe filtering mesh 62 and an interior surface of the sidewall 28 of thecanister body 21. The filtering mesh 62 spans the interior diameter ofthe canister body 22 and effectively forms a perforated separationbetween the upper vacuum chamber 52 and the lower vacuum chamber 54.

The height of the filtering mesh 62 within the canister body 21 isarranged to be selectively adjustable. The filtering mesh 62 is securedto a movable rod 66 which extends through an aperture in the lid 30. Atop end portion of the movable rod 66 can include a handle 68 thatallows a user to grasp the rod 66 and adjust the height of the filteringmesh 62 within the canister body 21. The movable rod 66 and filteringmesh 62 can be held in place at any particular height within thecanister body 21 by way of any type of locking, gripping, or holdingmechanism 70. For example, the movable rod 66 can be secured at anyheight using a gasket arrangement 70 that provides a friction fitbetween the movable rod 66 and the lid 30. For another example, themovable rod 66 can be arranged in threaded engagement with the lid 30allowing concise height adjustment by turning the handle 68.

The filtering mesh 62 of the filtration mesh assembly 50 can be moved upand down the canister body 21 and can be secured at any particularheight within the canister body 21. In particular, the height of thefiltering mesh 62 of the filtration mesh assembly 50 can be set at anylocation below the tissue harvesting port 24. The adjustment of thefiltering mesh 62 allows the surgeon to indirectly manipulate thefiltered pure fat that has accumulated on the upper vacuum chamber 52side of the filtering mesh 62 towards the tissue harvesting port 24.Thus, the height adjustable filtration mesh assembly 50 facilitates theatraumatic removal of pure fat from the canister device 20 withoutmanipulating the fat.

The perforations in the filtering mesh 62 are sized to allow fluids suchas oils, free lipids, tumescent fluids, non-fatty tissues, blood,anesthetic fluids, and saline gathered during the harvesting process orintroduced into the canister device 20 to drain from the upper vacuumchamber 52 to the lower vacuum chamber 54. At the same time, theperforations in the filtering mesh 62 are sized to restrict the passageof adipose tissue. A preferable aperture size of about 1.0 mm has beendetermined to be suitable for the desired flow rate while avoidingclogging issues but other suitable sizes, including, but not limited toan aperture size range of about 0.2 mm to about 2.0 mm, depending on thetissue being collected, quantity desired, and desired pass through ratewithout undue clogging will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

While a single filtering mesh 62 is shown in this embodiment, additionalfiltering meshes could be implemented as part of the filtration meshassembly 50. Depending on the vacuum strength introduced by the vacuumsource 200, some of the fatty tissue may pass through the filtering mesh62 or lodge into the perforations of the mesh 62. However, clogging isgenerally avoided since the fatty tissue tends to float and only settlesonto the filtering mesh 62 once all other fluids in the fattyliposuction aspirate have been evacuated through the perforations andinto the lower vacuum chamber 54. While the filtering mesh 62 ispreferably constructed of a mesh material, other suitable filteringmaterials could be implemented as would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art.

Covering the open top of the canister body 21 can be a removable,self-sealing lid 30. The substantially flat lid 30 can include an outerflange 32 for mating with the outwardly projecting flange 58 of thecanister body 21 to seal off the upper portion of the upper vacuumchamber 52. The lid 30 further provides access to the vacuum connector34 and tissue retrieval port 36 which allow admission directly into theupper vacuum chamber 52. The lid 30 can be formed in one-piece with thecanister body 21.

The fluid evacuation port 22 is arranged in fluid communication with alower portion of the lower vacuum chamber 54. This lower location isbelow the height of the filtering mesh 62. An evacuation tube can beslip fit onto or into the fluid evacuation port 22 or otherwise besuitably secured to the port 22. The fluid evacuation port 22, a tube,and a collection syringe 500 can be used to evacuate or drain tumescentfluids, oils, bloods, anesthetics, and other unwanted bilge fluids fromthe lower vacuum chamber 54 under suction from the syringe or othervacuum source.

The tissue harvesting port 24 is arranged in fluid communication withthe upper vacuum chamber 52. In use, the location of the tissueharvesting port 24 is above the height of the filtering mesh 62 to allowthe filtered pure fat that has accumulated on the upper vacuum chamber52 side of the filtering mesh 62 to enter the tissue harvesting port 24and be atraumatically removed from the canister device 20. An evacuationtube can be slip fit onto or into the tissue harvesting port 24 orotherwise be suitably secured to the port 24. The tissue harvesting port24, a tube, and an adipose tissue collection syringe 400 can be used tocollect the filtered pure fat from the upper vacuum chamber 52 of thetissue separating device 100.

The adipose tissue collection syringe 400 can be a conventional syringewith a hollow housing defining a collection chamber having an entrychannel on one end that can attach to a tube for enabling collection ofthe filtered pure fat from port 24. After the collection syringe 400collects a quantity of filtered pure fat from the tissue separatingdevice 100, the syringe can be used to re-inject the filtered fat into apatient site for fat grafting or into another syringe body. Anycollection syringe capacities can be implemented depending on theprocedure being performed and the quantity of filtered fat is requiredas would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the canister device 20 can be releasablysecured to a holding tray 82. For example, the canister body 21 caninclude tabs 26 that allow a snap-connection with the holding tray 82via flexible tangs 84. However, the canister device 20 can be secured tothe holding tray 82 using any type of releasable connection mechanism aswould be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

To promote the removal of filtered pure fat from the canister device 20into the adipose tissue collection syringe 400, the holding tray 82 canbe pivotally arranged on a base support 90. This pivoting structureallows the surgeon to tilt the canister device 20 so that the filteredpure fat can slide on the filtering mesh 62 towards and through thetissue harvesting port 24. The pivoting capability of the canisterdevice 20 along with the height adjustability of the filtering mesh 62helps the surgeon facilitate the removal of the filtered pure fatwithout directly manipulating the fat.

The pivoting capability of the canister device 20 also helps the surgeonfacilitate the removal of the aqueous fluid component of the fattyliposuction aspirate from the lower vacuum chamber 54 through the tissueretrieval port 36.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the pivoting structure can include a pair ofpivot pins 86 formed on the holding tray 82 that can engage with slots92 formed in the base support 90 to allow the canister device 20 to betilted in a forward and backward direction. However, the pivotingstructure can include any structure that allows pivoting movement of thecanister device 20 as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art. The fluid evacuation port 22 and the tissue harvesting port 24can each be arranged on the canister body 20 in a location orthogonal tothe pivot pins 86 of the holding tray 82 to allow the most efficientremoval of the filtered pure fat and the aqueous fluid component of thefatty liposuction aspirate.

In use, the lid 30 can be removed by the surgeon and an optional fluidbath, such as a sterile saline solution, can be poured into the canisterbody 21 to a desired level. It can be preferable to ensure a ratio ofthe fluid bath to the desired amount of aspirated adipose tissue toallow the fatty tissue to float thereby initiating the separationprocess. Other treatments such as antibiotics and/or sterile tissuewashing and separation fluids can also be introduced at this time orlater on in the process as the surgeon determines Such refining fluidscan be introduced to wash, separate, and treat the aspirated adiposetissue.

At this point, the vacuum connector 34 can be placed in communicationwith the vacuum source 200 and the tissue retrieval port 36 can beplaced in communication with the harvesting device 300. The tissueharvesting port 24 can be coupled to the adipose tissue collectionsyringe 400 and can be closed off by a pinch clamp. Similarly, the fluidevacuation port 22 can be coupled to a collection syringe 500 or othercollection mechanism and can be closed off by a pinch clamp.

The vacuum source 200 can be turned on by the surgeon and the pumpallowed to build to a suitable vacuum pressure to perform the fattytissue harvesting process with the harvesting device 300 usingconventional harvesting techniques. With the vacuum source 200activated, a vacuum pressure relative to the ambient pressure can begenerated and maintained in the upper vacuum chamber 52. A vacuumpressure range of 15-20 inches Hg has been found suitable to maintain asufficient suction force in the upper vacuum chamber 52 to providesufficient suction to the harvesting device 300 for aspirating adiposetissue from a patient and into the canister device 20.

Using conventional liposuction techniques, the cannula of the harvestingdevice 300 can be inserted into a patient site and a quantity of adiposetissue harvested under vacuum. The fatty liposuction aspirate willtravel through the fat harvesting tube and is directed through thetissue retrieval port 36 and fall into the fluid bath or onto thefiltering mesh 62 in the upper vacuum chamber 40. As commonly occursduring the adipose tissue aspiration process, other fluids and tissuessuch as blood, anesthetic, collagen strands, infiltrated tumescentfluids, oils, and other non-fatty tissues and fluids may be aspiratedalong with the fatty tissue. It will be appreciated that the process ofseparating the fatty tissue from other fluids and non-fatty tissue andfluids begins immediately.

While the fatty tissue can initially sink as it is introduced into thefluid bath, the more buoyant fatty tissue tends to rise within the fluidbath and will ultimately float at or near the upper water line of thefluid bath. It will be appreciated that pre-loading the canister device20 with a fluid bath can cushion the entry of the fatty tissue into thecanister thus reducing the trauma to the tissue as well as irrigatingthe tissue. As the fluid bath mixes with the aspirated, adipose tissue,it becomes bilge fluid that can later be evacuated further on in theprocedure.

Once enough aspirated, adipose tissue is collected as determined by thesurgeon to complete the transplantation or re-injection procedure, thevacuum source 200 can be left on at the same pressure or at a reducedpressure. However, it is preferable to turn off the vacuum source 200while the fatty liposuction aspirate sits on the filtering mesh 62and/or in the fluid bath for a short time interval to allow theseparation process to proceed.

During the separation process, the filtered fatty tissue is preventedfrom entering the lower vacuum chamber 54 due to the size of theperforations in the filtering mesh 62. In addition, as the fatty tissuetends to float on the fluid bath, it is unlikely to block theperforations of the filtering mesh 62.

The fluid, including both saline bath and non-fatty tissues and otherfluids collected from the patient during the harvesting procedure,passes from the upper vacuum chamber 52 and through the perforations inthe filtering mesh 62, thereby accumulating in the lower vacuum chamber54. The fluid that has accumulated in the lower vacuum chamber 54 can beevacuated through the fluid evacuation port 22 via a tube and into acollection syringe 500 or other collection mechanism.

The filtered pure fat that settles onto the filtering mesh 62 isseparated and rinsed all within the sterile closed environment of thecanister device 20. The filtered pure fat is heavily concentrated andready for re-introduction into the patient as previously discussedabove. However, after these washing and separation steps, othertreatment additives can be added and repeated one or more times tofurther refine the fatty tissue.

The surgeon can open the pinch clamp downstream from the tissueharvesting port 24, tilt the canister device 20, and draw back thesyringe plunger on the adipose tissue collection syringe 400. Thisplaces the collection syringe 400 in more efficient communication withthe filtered pure fat that has collected on top of the filtering mesh62. The tilting of the canister device 20 gently slopes the filteringmesh 62 to help provide a fat retrieval chute that directs the filteredpure fat to the collection syringe 400.

If more than one collection syringe is needed, the primary syringe canbe uncoupled and additional syringes as needed may be coupled to thetubing end and the collection process repeated to load one or moresyringes with filtered pure fat for re-injection.

The collection syringe 400 loaded with filtered pure fat can then becoupled to a desired cannula by the surgeon, and the filtered pure fatre-injected into the patient site using conventional autologous fattytissue re-injection techniques.

The tissue separating device 100 of the present teachings allows thecollection of filtered pure fat from aspirated adipose tissue withoutopening the canister device 20 and manipulating the fat. The tissueseparating device 100 also minimizes the number of steps required by asurgeon to harvest, refine, and collect the filtered pure fat prior tore-introduction into the patient site. Trauma to the tissue, commonlycaused by the use of a centrifuge, rougher manipulation of the tissueand the tissue container as commonly occurs when directing the tissueagainst a solid surface, and extending the time of the tissue outsidethe patient is significantly reduced, all while maintaining a sterileenvironment. The tissue separating device 100 of the present teachingscan be easily integrated with conventional off the shelf wastecanisters, vacuum sources, syringes, and harvesting devices.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the foregoing descriptionthat the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms.Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection withparticular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of thepresent teachings should not be so limited. Various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theteachings herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tissue separating device comprising: a canisterdevice including canister body having a sidewall defining a volume; anadjustable height filtration assembly arranged within the canister bodyand including a filtering material having a top side portion and abottom side portion, the filtering material separating the volume intoan upper vacuum chamber and a lower vacuum chamber; a tissue retrievalport arranged on the canister device and capable of being arranged influid communication with a harvesting device for directing a fattyliposuction aspirate into the-volume of the canister device onto the topside portion of the filtering material; the filtering material beingcapable of separating the fatty liposuction aspirate into a filteredpure fat component collected on the top side portion of the filteringmaterial within the upper vacuum chamber and into an aqueous fluidcomponent collected below the bottom side portion of the filteringmaterial within the lower vacuum chamber; and a tissue harvesting portarranged in the sidewall of the canister body and capable of beingarranged in communication with a collection device for atraumaticallyreceiving the filtered pure fat component collected on the top sideportion of the filtering material; wherein the adjustable heightfiltration assembly is movably arranged within the canister body suchthat the filtering material is adjustable with respect to the tissueharvesting port to allow the tissue harvesting port to atraumaticallyreceive the filtered pure fat collected on the top side portion of thefiltering material.
 2. The tissue separating device of claim 1, furtherincluding a holding mechanism for securing the filtering material at anyparticular height within the canister body.
 3. The tissue separatingdevice of claim 2, wherein the adjustable height filtration assemblyincludes a movable rod attached to the filtering material and theholding mechanism is operable to secure the rod at any particularheight.
 4. The tissue separating device of claim 3, wherein a top endportion of the movable rod includes a handle that is capable of beingmoved to adjust the height of the filtering material within the canisterbody.
 5. The tissue separating device of claim 1, further including apivotable support operatively arranged with the canister device to allowthe canister body to be tilted.
 6. The tissue separating device of claim5, wherein the pivotable support includes a holding tray securable tothe canister body and a base support.
 7. The tissue separating device ofclaim 6, wherein the holding tray includes pivot pins that are arrangedto pivot on the base support.
 8. The tissue separating device of claim1, wherein the canister device includes a lid and the tissue retrievalport is arranged on the lid.
 9. The tissue separating device of claim 1,wherein the adjustable height filtration assembly includes a gasketarranged about the filtering material.
 10. The tissue separating deviceof claim 1, further including a fluid evacuation port arranged in thesidewall of the canister body and capable of being arranged incommunication with a collection device for receiving a remaining aqueousfluid component collected below the filtration assembly within the lowervacuum chamber.
 11. A tissue separating device comprising: a canisterdevice including a canister body and a lid, the canister device definingan interior volume; an adjustable filtration assembly including amovable rod and a filtering material having a top side portion and abottom side portion, the filtering material arranged in the canisterbody and separating the interior volume into an upper vacuum chamber anda lower vacuum chamber, a height of the filtering material within thecanister body capable of being adjusted by adjusting the movable rod onan exterior of the canister body; a tissue retrieval port arranged onthe canister device and capable of being in fluid communication with aharvesting device for directing a fatty liposuction aspirate onto thetop side portion of the filtering material of the filtration meshassembly within the upper vacuum chamber; and a tissue harvesting portarranged in the sidewall of the canister body and capable of beingarranged in communication with a collection device; wherein thefiltering material is adjustable with respect to the tissue harvestingport for facilitating the atraumatic removal of filtered pure fatcollected on the top side portion of the filtering material from theupper vacuum chamber of the canister body.
 12. The tissue separatingdevice of claim 11, further including a fluid evacuation port arrangedin the sidewall of the canister body and capable of being arranged incommunication with a collection device for receiving a remaining aqueousfluid component collected below the filtering material within the lowervacuum chamber.
 13. The tissue separating device of claim 11, furtherincluding a holding mechanism for securing the filtering material at anyparticular height within the canister body.
 14. The tissue separatingdevice of claim 13, wherein the holding mechanism is operable to securethe movable rod at any particular height.
 15. The tissue separatingdevice of claim 14, wherein a top end portion of the movable rodincludes a handle that is capable of being moved to adjust the height ofthe filtering material within the canister body.
 16. The tissueseparating device of claim 11, further including a pivotable supportoperatively arranged with the canister device to allow the canister bodyto be tilted.
 17. The tissue separating device of claim 16, wherein thepivotable support includes a holding tray and a base support, thecanister body being securable to the holding tray.
 18. The tissueseparating device of claim 11, wherein the adjustable filtrationassembly includes a gasket arranged about the filtering material.
 19. Amethod of separating pure fat from a fatty liposuction aspiratecomprising: providing a canister device defining a volume, the canisterdevice including a tissue retrieval port, a filtration assemblyincluding a filtering material having a top side portion and a bottomside portion and being movably arranged within the canister body, and atissue harvesting port; directing a fatty liposuction aspirate into thevolume of the canister device and onto the top side portion of thefiltering material of the filtration assembly; separating the fattyliposuction aspirate using the filtering material into a filtered purefat component collected on the top side portion of the filteringmaterial and into an aqueous fluid component collected below thefiltering material; moving the filtering material with respect to thetissue harvesting port into a position to place the separated pure fatcollected on the top side portion of the filtering material incommunication with a collection device; and creating a vacuum at thetissue harvesting port using the collection device to atraumaticallyremove the filtered pure fat from the canister body without manipulatingthe fat.
 20. The method of separating pure fat from a fatty liposuctionaspirate of claim 19, further comprising tilting the canister device topromote the removal of the filtered pure fat from the canister body.